Natascha Biebow

Hello! Thank you for clicking on my Picture Book
Den blog page.

I like to blog about the craft of writing picture
books. You can read my blog posts here.

I am passionate about picture books.

In fact, apart from dark chocolate, what I love most is
books. Whenever I go anywhere, I always have a book (or usually books) in my
handbag, in my backpack, in my suitcase, in my carry-on – IN CASE. I think my
greatest fear is being stuck somewhere without a book . . .(and chocolate)!

I was born in Johannesburg and grew up in Rio de
Janeiro, where I attended the American school. Many of the books I owned when I
was growing up were sent to me for birthdays and Christmases by Granelly, who
lived in England. These were treasures and I still have them on my bookshelf at
home. I love the musty smell of these original editions.

Now, I love to read old and new picture books with my son (and the dog!). We are fortunate to have a
great picture book library!

And I can’t get to sleep unless I’ve read a book.

Ever since I can remember, I have written or told
stories. Here is one, from when I was in fourth grade:

At university, along with a whole lot of other
unpublished stuff, I wrote Elephants Never Forget after a trip with my
parents to Africa.

Much later, I became passionate about books for babies
and very little ones. (I studied Developmental Psychology at university and, in
2013, I completed a degree in Early Childhood Education and earned my
International Diploma in Montessori Pedagogy). So, I was thrilled when a book I wrote Is
this My Nose?, illustrated by Georgie Birkett, won the Booktrust Best Book
for Babies.

THE CRAYON MAN: THE TRUE STORY OF THE INVENTION OF CRAYOLA CRAYONS is the true story of Edwin Binney, a man who loved colour and nature so much that he was inspired to invent the Crayola crayons so that children everywhere could draw anything. You can find see the book trailer here.

You can find out more about me, my books, school visits I offer and find cool activities and educators' notes from my author website.Apart part from writing, I started editing early on as
well. I was the editor of my high-school newsletter, The Tatui, and,
after university, I decided I would combine my interest in children’s books
with editing, so I moved to London.

My favourite job is crafting books with writers and
illustrators and shaping stories. I have a talent for visualizing books and
encouraging authors and illustrators to find the heart of their stories. I love
collaborating with people who are passionate about their work and understand
that creating a great book is a journey, an organic process that evolves over
time.

Unfortunately, editors have less and less time to edit
and help new authors to shape their stories. That’s why I started Blue Elephant Storyshaping, a coaching, editing and mentoring service aimed at
helping children’s authors and illustrators shape their picture books, young
fiction and novels pre-submission.

Together, we go on a storyshaping journey. We explore,
have fun, dig deep for the heart of author's and illustrator's story. It's
inspirational and challenging, but together we aim to craft the best book. I
have 25 years’ experience commissioning and editing pre-school novelty books,
picture books, early readers, young fiction, and (pop-up) non-fiction at big and small publishers, including ABC,
Dorling Kindersley and Random House Children’s Books. In addition to offering advice through Blue Elephant Storyshaping, I currently edit the Daisy young fiction series by Kes Gray (PRH), commission picture books and young fiction for Five Quills and freelance for a number of other publishers including Tate, Thames & Hudson, and Lawrence King.

Because I’m both a writer and an editor, I know what’s
it like to receive mystifying rejection letters, to wait endlessly for a reply
from publishers, to struggle through a revision and to experience the elation
of getting a book deal. It’s a tough market out there!

I have several other writing projects underway,
including more picture books and a young fiction series. To write, I need
chocolate. My favourite colour is blue and, ever since I was little, my
favourite animals were elephants. I love spending time with kids and travelling
to exciting new places.

If you are keen on writing or illustrating children's
books, you should check out the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators, the largest international professional organization for writers
and illustrators of children’s literature. It is a source of friendship,
support, craft tips and excellent professional development opportunities.

In my
“free time”, I volunteer as the Regional Advisor (Chair) of the British Isles
Region and help to dream up exciting new programmes and initiatives for
our members. in 2018, I was awarded an MBE for my services to children's book writers and illustrators. SCBWI BI has an excellent blog magazine that you can see here.